Is Bismarck or Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bismarck is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 25/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,678 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 36% lower. Bismarck has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bismarck has a 70% lower rate.
Bismarck — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bismarck, ND
Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bismarck | Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,677.8 | 4,195.1 | -1,517.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 278.0 | 498.2 | -220.2 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 4.4 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 102.5 | -57.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.9 | 77.4 | -16.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.8 | 314.0 | -143.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,399.9 | 3,696.9 | -1,297.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.5 | 741.4 | -493.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,922.0 | 2,600.9 | -678.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.3 | 354.5 | -124.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck or Fargo safer?
Bismarck is safer with a total crime rate of 2,678 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bismarck has a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100K while Fargo has 498.2. Bismarck has lower violent crime.
About Bismarck, ND
Bismarck, North Dakota, the state capital, sits on the east bank of the Missouri River. Named for German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, it's a regional hub with a growing population of over 70,000. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 75,546, Bismarck has a total crime rate of 2,677.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 per 100,000 residents.